Words

We catch words in the air
Run jump toss our veins to the side
They are there for the taking
We keep score in the darkness
We create a mass of muscles
Taut and dangerous
Impossible to balance
We make a frantic dash to the points
Hang like boys from the tree
Glancing down
Quietly laughing
Alice melts the ends of the rope
Creates a little swing
She will stay there for hours
Lost in the here and now
No match for Rabbits disappearing tail
It's like we're in a tank she squeals
We can look out but no one can look in
I gather our thoughts on scraps of paper
Hope for a sign
Something to say.

Cells

She wipes the sugar from her lips
She is wakeful
Full of beans
I'm hungry as a mountain
Restless and sleepy
My cells bubble under my skin
They make me hug the floor
Trip skip fall through the border
I pass her the cup
She holds it in her tiny hands
No need to ask why
The stench of soap permeates the air
Freshens up our cage
Let's us make that evil crossing into sleep
I can't deny how anxious life makes me
We visit the willow tree
Let it cast a shadow
Let us be.

Ammunition

Hatter waves his rainbow umbrella
Are we going on an adventure squeals Alice
I hope so little bean
I hope so
The Red Queen waves us on through the window
My lips are parched
My sense of taste is fried
I stare at my reflection
Despise this new shape of me
She says only I can stop
I am grateful for her words
They sit like apple stew in my stomach
Let's lay the table
Hope for tea
Certain one day they will come
My head swirls
There is a lull in the air
Hatter wears ammunition around his waste
He marches doesn't walk
We try and keep up
Alice scuffs her shoes on the cobble
I wipe the sweat from my head
Play chicken
Same times and places
Stuck in the hole
I'm not sure it's magical any more
Still the rainbow umbrella makes me smile
We lay on the floor and look up at its wonder.

Scoot

The children scoot and swim
A late summers weekend
Swinging without a care
Tumble down the hole
Learn to love
No one sees their tears
Crying in the wind
The best is yet to come
Winter is dead
It loosens its noose
Dancing leaves
Crumpled shoes
Salt like dread of long dark evenings
We bind our ears
Deafen our senses
Noise is too much
All just signs and symbols
We need them to find our way.